channel247 online
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has strongly objected to the inauguration of the Scholarship Authority Board, citing the complete absence of student representation on the governing body.
In a press statement dated January 8, 2026, NUGS described the current composition of the Board as unacceptable, stressing that students are the core beneficiaries of the scholarship framework and must not be excluded from decision-making processes that directly affect their academic futures.
According to the union, scholarships are designed to promote equity, expand access to education, and support students from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. NUGS argued that a Board constituted without student voices raises serious concerns about legitimacy, fairness, and democratic accountability.
The student body noted that key policy decisions of the Scholarship Authority including eligibility criteria, selection processes, disbursement mechanisms, and grievance redress systems have a direct impact on students’ welfare and academic progression. As such, operating without student input risks disconnecting the Authority from the lived realities of beneficiaries.
NUGS further emphasized that student representation in education-related governance structures has long been an established democratic convention in Ghana. The union, which represents approximately 12.5 million Ghanaian students at home and abroad, said its exclusion from the Scholarship Authority Board departs from accepted governance practices and prior assurances.
The union has therefore unequivocally rejected the current Board and is demanding an urgent and structured engagement between the government, the Scholarship Authority, and NUGS to address the omission. It also called on the President, the Minister of Education, and relevant authorities to immediately reconstitute the Board to include substantive student representation nominated by NUGS.
Additionally, NUGS is pushing for an amendment of the Scholarship Authority Act under a certificate of urgency to formally provide for student representation, in line with best governance practices within the education sector.
While reaffirming its commitment to constructive dialogue and cooperation, NUGS warned that it would not hesitate to pursue all lawful means necessary to ensure that students’ voices are heard and reflected in decisions that shape their educational opportunities.
